Upgrades coming to Waddell Park in Niles, city will get a replacement for old pool

Construction equipment is ready to go at Waddell Park in Niles. A multi-million dollar project will improve the baseball and softball fields. Four fields will be upgraded to turf. Three of those will also be lined so they can host soccer and flag football games. 

“It's fine the way it is but there's always room for improvements everywhere.” Nathan Robinson, who lives in Niles and frequently goes to the park with his family said. “I see other families out here. This is kind of like a gathering place for a lot of people around here.”

The project will also bring in something new. In the empty field on the park's south side, crews will add in a playground that's handicap accessible, a gazebo, a new restroom facility and the city’s first splash pad. The splash pad will replace the park's old pool that was torn down in 2022.

“In Waddell Park it hasn't seen its fair share of improvement over the years,” Mayor of Niles, Steve Mientkiewicz said. “This is taxpayer dollars at work and this is what the taxpayers deserve, this is what the children deserve.”

The project is partially funded by a $2.5 million grant from former Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan. The remaining $2 million was made up by the city in funds allocated by council. 

“I think that is absolutely the right idea, the right amount of money to pay for something special for the kids,” Robinson said. “That would make a big difference in Niles and for the community.”

Mayor Mientkiewicz said this is a part of the city’s capital plan to improve all of the parks in the next five years. 

Construction in Waddell Park will start this week. The city expects all of the work to be done by spring of 2025.

The 52 acre park was a gift to the city from Jacob D Waddell in 1928. Its entrance sits on Sharkey Drive.